Portugal Flag

The official flag of Portugal features a vertical green
stripe situated on the hoist side which takes up one third of the flag’s total
area. The other two thirds are solid red in color. The nation’s lesser coat of
arms, made up of an armillary sphere (otherwise known as a celestial sphere)
and a Portuguese shield are set in the center of the flag directly on top of
the border between the two principal colors. Portugal’s flag was adopted on
June 30, 1911. The flag is known as both Bandeira das Quinas (Flag of the Five
Escutcheons) as well as Bandeira Verde-Rubra; a reference to its green and red colors.

The green on the flag is representative of Portuguese
explorer King Henry the Navigator while the red shield is a reference to the
revolutions that took place within Portugal during the 1800s. The shield also
represents the country’s rich naval history and Portugal’s expanding influence
during the time of King Alfonso Henriques. This esteemed military figure is also
the reason behind the five blue shields depicted inside the larger armillary
shield. These symbols refer to the five kings that Henriques defeated during
Portugal’s Ourique battle. The larger white shield depicts Henriques
armor.

Portugal’s flag was designed by
a group of native dignitaries including Columbano (a painter), Afonso Palla and
Ladislau Pereira (veterans of the 1910 revolution), João Chagas (a journalist)
and Abel Botelho (a writer). Following the abolition of Portugal’s monarchy
the National Constituent Assembly along with the government appointed a
commission with the aim of designing the country’s new official flag.

Throughout its history, Portugal has been represented by a
number of different flags. The first such version appeared around 1095 and
consisted of a design symbolizing Count Henry of Burgundy. It featured a simple
blue cross set against a white background. In later years heraldry designs were
added. After that the flag’s red border was replaced by a royal shield. In 1830
the design was changed once again and featured a background consisting of equal
parts blue and white.